Variable switch mechanism.



L. A. MAPEL.

VARIABLE SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY n. I917.

1 284,735. Patented N0". 12, 1.918.

yg ri UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS A. MAPEL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO MAPEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

VARIABLE SWITCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed July 11, 1917. Serial No. 179,984.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS A. MAPEL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Variable Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a speciflcati'on. I

This invention relates to variable switch mechanism.

In my companion applications Serial No. 21,815, for fluid regulating device, and Serial No. 42,625, for'electric valve controlling mechanism, 1 have disclosed a fluid regulatingdevice provided with valves for'regulating the flow 0f fluid therethrough, in combination with electric mechanism forcontrolling the valves whereby the valves will be automatically closed by mechanism under control of predetermined quantities of fluid that has passed the valves. The valve controlling mechanism comprises a normally deenergized actuator in a normally open circuit equipped with switch mechanism which is normally open and which is closed by devices under control of a float element sup ported by the fluid 'that'has pased the valves and entered an appropriate receptacle.

The present'invention'has reference to the switch mechanism under control of a float elementandwhich is combined with setting devices whereby varying quantities of the fluid will be permitted to enter the receptacle before the-switch mechanism will be permitted to close. In the particular embodiment illustrated one of the contact 1nembers of the switch is normally held out of contact with the cooperating member by the weight of thefloat element, and the float element may be supported in difl'erent positions within the receptacle so that any predetermined quantity of fluid may enter the receptacle before the float element will be actuatedthereby torelievethe weight of the float element from its support and thus enable the contactmembers of the switch to make "contact and complete the circuit in order to energize the actuator and enable the valves to-close.

An object of the inventionis to provide a switch mechanism ofthe character and for the purpose mentioned comprising two con tact members o'fa'n electric switch, in combination withan adjustable support for the float element whereby varying predetermined quantities offluid may enter the receptacle in which the float element is contained, and means whereby the float element will retain the ontact members out of contact when the float element is supported by its support and will permit the contact members to make Contact with each other to close the circuit when the predetermined quantity of fluid enters the float receptacle.

Another object is to provide an efficient and simple switch mechanism of the character mentioned comprising a manipulative device for supporting and adjusting the float element in selected positions, means for retaining the manipulative device in its different positions and a switch member under positive control of the float whereby the switch will be opened automatically as an incident to removal of such a quantity of the fluid from the float receptacle as will enable the float to be supported from the manipulative device.

Various other objects of an advantageous character will be clearly apparent from the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanyin drawings illustrating a preferred embo iment of the inven'tionand in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the face of the case containing the switch mechanism, the float receptacle being in section in this view.

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations of the case containing the switch mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the manipulative supporting device and the element controlled by the float for holding the switch open, the case being in section in this view.

Fig. 5 is a view of the switch mechanism which is inclosed within the case.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the case illustrating the manipulative float support and the switch mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of an improved form of reversible float.

The switch comprises a contact member 1 in connection with a binding post 2 from which a'wire 3leads to anotherbindin'g post 4;. A circuit wire 5 from'a source of elec trical energy is connected with the post 4 and through the medium of the wire 8-isin' circuit with the contact member 1.

The other contact member'6 of the circuit is in connection with a binding post 7 carried bv a support 8 attached to a pivot rod 9. The entire mechanism of the switch is supported by an intermediate wall 10 of a case and the rod 9 passes through the wall 10 and is adapted to be rocked as required to move the contact member 6 into and out of contact with the cooperating contact member 1 to complete and to open the circuit. A wire 11 connects the binding post 7 with another binding post 12 supported by the case and to the latter binding post a circuit wire 13 is connected so that the circuit will be completed or opened by operation of the support 8. The circuit wires 5 and 13 are inclosed within a flexible tube 1a which is supported in connection with the case by a binding screw 15.

The float 16 is provided with an open tube 17 through which passes a flexible cable 18 having a body 19 attached to its end and adapted to engage with the end of the tube to support the float. The float incloses a weight 20 having a central hole through which the tube 17 extends, so that the weight will drop to the lower side of the float thus making the float reversible. This contributes to the convenience of assembling the mechanism and. makes it immaterial which side of the float is up or down and enabling the cable to be passed either way through the tube 17 without changing the result or mode of operation of the float when the device is assembled. The float is inclosed with in a receptacle 21 having a passage 22 for the fluid entering the lower end thereof. The upper end of the receptacle 21 is connected with passage 23 opening into the switch case on the opposite side of the wall 10 from the switch mechanism. The cable 18 passes through the passage 23 into a peripheral groove in a small sheave 24 revolubly supported by an arm or lever 25 attached to the rod 9. A projection 26 on the arm 25 adjacent to the periphery of the sheave 2 1- prevents the cable 18 from becoming unseated on the sheave when the float is raised by fluid within the receptacle 21, or otherwise. The upper end of the cable is attached to a large wheel 27 by a binding screw 28. The wheel 27 is attached to an axle rod 29 journaled in a bearing in the wall 10 so that when the wheel is turned the float will be raised or lowered in the float receptacle, depending upon the direction in which the wheel is revolved; A strong spring 30 encircles the rod 29 on the side of the wall 10 opposite from the wheel 27 and is held under compression against the wall 10 by a clamping device 31 on the end of the rod. In the embodiment illustrated the clamping device comprises a nut screwed on the end of the rod 29 and pressing a cooperating washer against the end of the spring. By means of this device the rod 29 will be held in any position to which it may be turned, so that the float may be supported at any desired altitude within the float receptacle. The wheel 27 is provided with a peripheral groove of sufiicient depth and width to receive the cable 18 so that the cable can not become unseated after the parts have been assembled.

The wheel 27 may be integral with or separate from a hub or sleeve 32 which constitutes an abutment against which a pointer device 33 is clamped by a hand wheel 31 which is attached to the end of the rod 29 and which constitutes a handle whereby the wheel 27 may be turned to difl'erent positions. The wall of the case adjacent to the pointer 33 comprises a plate 35 having an annular scale 36 with which the pointer co- OPEI'MGSDO indicate the position of the float within the receptacle. Thus, as illustrated, the numeral scale is provided with numerals from 1 to 18 inclusive, so that the position of the pointer relative to anyone of the numerals on the scale indicates the altitude of the float above the bottom of the float receptacle.

The wall 10 is provided with a projecting lug 37 which cooperates with a lug 38 on the wheel 27 to limit rotation of said wheel in opposite directions. By these lugs rotation of the wheel 27 in one direction. will be stopped when the float is at the bottom of the float receptacle and rotation of the wheel in the opposite direction will also be stopped by these lugs when the float is at or near the top of the float receptacle.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the lower end of the passage 23 is provided with an enlargement 39 having releasable threaded connection with the upper end of the float receptacleso that the switch mechanism case may be conveniently attached to or detached from the float receptacle which receives the fluid for actuating the float.

While I have shown the contact member 6 arranged to be actuated into contact with the cooperating contact member by the weight of the parts 8, 24: and 25 which constitute actuators for closing the switch, it will be readily understood that other means may be employed for this purpose. It is also clear that there may be variations in the construction and arrangement of the parts in other respects without departure from any of the principles of the invention. Therefore, it will be understood that I do not restrict myself to specific features of construction or arrangement, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.:-

1. In a device of the character described, switch mechanism comprising a stationary contact member, a pivoted element, a contact member on said element, a lever for moving said element to move the contact member thereon out of contact with the stationary contact member, a float, a connection for supporting the float, a wheel for winding and unwinding said connection to vary the length thereof, and a roller on said lever engaged by said connection whereby the float when suspended by the connection holds the second contact member out of contact with the first one.

Switch mechanism of the character described, comprising an electric contact member supported in a stationary position, a pivoted element, a cooperating contact member carried by said element, a lever in connection with said element for moving the same to move the contact member thereon out of contact with the first one, a revoluble Wheel, a float, a flexible connection from said float to said wheel adapted to be wound up and unwound by turning said wheel, and a part on said lever engaged by said connection for holding the contact member on the pivoted element out of contact with the other contact member when the float is supported by said connection and permitting the second contact member to contact with the first one when the float is otherwise supported.

3. Switch mechanism of the character described, comprising an electric contact member supported in a stationary position, a pivoted element, a cooperating contact member carried by said element, a revoluble wheel, a device for holding said wheel in any adjustment in which it is placed, a flexible connection attached to said wheel, a float connected to said connection, a lever in connection with said pivoted element for moving the same to move the contact member thereon out of contact with the other one, a roller on said lever over which said connection passes, and means for holding said connection upon said roller, whereby the float when suspended by the connection holds the second contact member out of con tact with the first one.

a. Switch mechanism, comprising a stationary contact member, a rockable rod, a

support attached to said rod, a contact member attached to said support and movable thereby into and out of contact with the other contact member, a lever attached to said rod for rocking the same in a direction to move the contact member carried by said support out of contact with the other contact member, a wheel movable to different adjusted positions, means for holding said wheel in its diflerent adjustments, a float, a flexible connection between the float and the wheel whereby the float will be supported in different positions as determined by the adjusted positions of the wheel, and a part on said lever engaged by said connection whereby the float when suspended by the connection holds the second contact member out of contact with the first one.

5. Switch mechanism, comprising a stationary contact member, a movable contact member, a float device, a support for the float device, means controlled by the float device for holding the movable contact memher away from the stationary member during the time that the float is supported independently of the fluid and operating to contact said contact members as an incident to supporting the float device by fluid.

6. Switch mechanism, comprising a sta tionary contact member and a pivoted contact member, in combination with a revoluble wheel, a float device, a cable connected to said wheel and the float device for supporting the latter from the former, manipulative means for actuating said wheel to different selected positions, means for retaining the wheel in whatever position it may be placed, and a device controlled by said cable holding said contact members out of contact during the time that the float device is supported by the cable and enabling the contact members to make contact when the float device is supported by fluid.

7. Switch mechanism, comprising a stationary contact member, a ivoted Contact member, a device for actuating the pivoted contact member into contact with the stationary one, a wheel, a float device, a cable connecting the wheel with the float device for supporting the latter from the former, manipulative means for actuating the wheel to different selected positions, a device for holding the wheel in its different selected positions to support the float device at different altitudes, and a device engaging said cable and holding the pivoted contact memher out of contact with the stationary one when said float device is supported by said cable.

8. Switch mechanism, comprising a stationary contact member, a pivot, a cooperat-' ing contact member supported by said pivot, a revoluble wheel, a manipulative device for turning said wheel to diflerent selected positions, means for holding said wheel in its different positions, a fluid receptacle, a float device in said receptacle, a'flexible connection between said wheel and said float device for supporting the latter from the former, a device in connection with said pivot and engaging said connection whereby the cooperating contact member will be held out of contact with the stationary one when the float device is supported by said connection independently of the fluid, and enabling said contact members to make contact when the float device is supported by fluid.

9. Switch mechanism, comprising a stationary contact member, a pivot rod, a support attached to said rod, a contact member carried by said support and movable thereby into and out of contact with the stationary contact member, a wheel, means for turning said wheel to different selected adjustments, means for limiting the turning movement of said wheel in opposite directions, a float, a cable connecting said float and said wheel and adjustable by said wheel to support the float in different positions, a lever in connection with said rod for turning said rod as required to move the second contact member out of contact with the stationary one, and means for holding said cable in connection with said lever whereby the float when suspended by the cable holds the second contact member out of contact with the first one.

10. Switch mechanism, comprising a supporting wall, a contact member on one side of said wall, a rod extending through said wall for rocking movements, a support attached to said rod on the same side of the wall with the contact member above mentioned, an additional contact member carried by said support and movable thereby into and out of contact with the first mentioned contact member, a lever attached to said rod on the opposite side of said wall, a wheel supported on the same side of said wall with said lever, a cable attached to said Wheel, a float in connection with said cable, means for turning said wheel to different selected adjustments to support said float in diflerent positions as desired, and a part carried by said lever engaged by said cable whereby the float when suspended by the cable holds the second contact member out of contact with the first one.

11. Switch mechanism, comprising a sta tionary contact member, a movable support,

a contact member carried by said support and movable thereby into and out of contact with the stationary one, a lever in connection with said support for moving the same in a direction to move the contact member carried by said support out of contact with the stationary contact member, a roller carried by said lever, a cable passing .over said roller, means for holding said lever upon said roller, and a float connected to said connection whereby the float when suspended by the cable holds the second contact member out of contact with the first one.

12. In a device of the character described, a contact member, a second contact member, a float device, an adjustable support for said float device, manipulative means for operating said support as required to place said float device in different selected positions, a device cooperating with said manipulative means for indicating visually the positions of said float device, an element controlled by said float device when supported by said adjustable support for holding said contact members out of contact and for effecting contact between them when said float device is supported independently of said support.

In witness whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS A. MAPEL.

Witnesses L. C. KINGSLAND, N. G. B TLER.

Copies 0': this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

